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Top of the Morning to Perth Business Travellers

16/05/2003

Virgin Blue Announces Morning Departures To The East Coast

Virgin Blue is stepping up its campaign to provide Perth-based business Guests with even more air travel alternatives, launching early morning flights to the east coast to cater to the schedule needs of business travellers.

For the first time, the airline will offer business-friendly early morning departures from Perth to both Melbourne and Sydney from 15th September and 27th October respectively.

It follows tremendous support and demand for more flights to both cities from business travellers who are enjoying the financial benefits of affordable fares that don’t blow the budget. The announcement was made by Virgin Blue Chairman, Richard Branson and Chief Executive Brett Godfrey on arrival in Perth for a weekend visit.

The airline will take delivery of a number of brand new Boeing 737 New Generation aircraft and two of these aircraft are earmarked to overnight in Perth in preparation for the early morning east coast services.

Both flights will take off at 6.15am and will conveniently arrive in the east coast capitals for midday meetings or business lunches. Virgin Blue also announced this week that it will double frequency on its Perth-Adelaide flights from one to two a day effective 15th September due to increased demand.

A year ago today Virgin Blue was only operating two daily flights to Perth. Today’s announcement will mean Perth will soon have eleven daily low fare services to meet the needs of business, leisure and government travellers.

While Virgin Blue improves its schedules it continues to maintain its fully flexible fares at levels some 38% below those offered by the competition on Perth-Melbourne and 28% lower on Perth-Sydney, therefore offering substantial savings for corporate travellers on these key WA routes.

Virgin Blue Chairman Richard Branson said, “Perth has long been disadvantaged simply because of the vast distance and lack of competition in the past. Perth travellers have really thrown their support behind our low fares and great service prompting us to respond by providing more flight choices at a time that best suits business needs.” He continued “It’s incredible to think that this time last year Virgin Blue only offered 2 flights a day from Perth and here we are this week announcing flights 9, 10 and 11.”

Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, “Perth has a very strong business community and therefore needs a business product that allows them to travel not only affordably but also at a time that is convenient to them and their clients. When need be, this often means that they have to return the same day from east coast capitals. Our corporate Guest’s have made it clear they like our new fleet, our on-time reliability and especially our friendly crew who add personality and spark to regular flying. We are further enhancing our product by trialling hot meals for sale onboard and Blue Zone seating with extra space to stretch out for only an additional $50 per sector.”

The airline also confirmed that it has been encouraged by the strong response that it has seen on Adelaide to Broome, the airline’s first regional WA destination. Local tourism operators have also indicated a strong surge in visitors from this time last year.

Some countries require passenger cabins to be treated with insecticide prior to departure. A full list of these countries and information about the use of insecticides can be found on the United States of America Department of Transport website.